Pilot study investigating the relationship between motor skill, intelligence and perceptual reasoning and early academic achievement in children

Abstract

IntroductionThis study was descriptive-correlational in nature. Physical activity is a factor that can influence academic achievement, perceptual reasoning, and intelligence. However, little is known about how fundamental motor skills and fitness impact academic success. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between motor skills, perceptual reasoning, intelligence, and academic achievement in 7-year-old children.MethodsThis descriptive-correlational study included 200 7-year-old children from first-grade public schools. The children were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (for perceptual reasoning), Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (for intelligence), and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test II (for academic achievement). Path analysis was used to examine the relationships between the variables.ResultsThe results indicated positive correlations between motor skills, perceptual reasoning, intelligence, and academic achievement. The path analysis revealed that motor skills and perceptual reasoning had a significant positive impact on academic achievement.ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of motor skills in the academic development of primary school children.